Uwazi

A group of 13 people, including 11 women, who arrived in Kathmandu from Nepalgunj on Wednesday seeking justice, were rounded up on Friday evening from Maitighar Mandala where they were staging a protest. The protesters were having dinner when the police intervened and detained them.

Fourteen people from Banke district had taken a long arduous journey on foot to the national capital to demand a fair investigation into the death of Nakunni Dhobi and the disappearance of Nirmala Kurmi.

Their march for justice that covered over 500 kilometres was prompted after local authorities allegedly refused to deliver justice to Nakunni and Nirmala.

Thirty-eight-year-old Nakunni was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her home on July 20 in Ward 2 of Janaki Rural Municipality in Banke.

Fifty-two-year-old Nirmala had gone missing in January 2010 from the same rural municipality. Her disappearance had come two years after her two teenage sons were murdered within the span of one week. Neighbours and villagers say Nirmala owned a great deal of property, making her disappearance and the murder of her two sons suspicious. But Banke district police is accused of never taking her disappearance seriously.

When local residents and activists pressured the police to investigate Nirmala’s disappearance, the District Police Office, Banke on December 1 last year turned them away saying there was no point in investigating the matter as Nirmala was already dead.

When the relatives and neighbours of Nakunni and Nirmala tried to lodge complaints with the district police with the support of the Banke chapter of the National Women Rights Forum in August this year, police once again refused to investigate the cases.

Police have also used trumped up charges of “polygamy” to detain a women’s rights activist who was leading a protest against the failure to properly investigate two alleged murders linked to land acquisition.

Police initially defied an October 10 Supreme Court habeas corpus order to produce Ruby Khan, a human rights defender who had been arrested at a sit-in protest in Kathmandu. She was finally brought to the court, and released, on October 14. During her week in custody, Khan told Human Rights Watch, the police attempted to “bargain” with her saying she would be released if she ended her protest movement.

Reporter to Lumbini Television and Butwal FM Dinesh Gyawali was attacked while reporting in Butwal on October 10. Butwal lies in Lumbini Province of Nepal.

Reporter Gyawali was attacked while reporting on conflict among local protestors and policepersons in the industrial area of Motipur, Butwal.

The raged public attacked Gyawali even after he showed his press identity card and said that he was journalist.

"I tried to escape the attack but fell down and other two of the protestors rescued me. I also lost my mobile in the incident", he shared with Freedom Forum.

"Other reporters however, escaped the attack. Neither Police persons nor the protesting locals cooperated with us while reporting", said Gyawali.

Reporter Gyawali has sustained injury on his head and hands. He is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Freedom Forum condemns the attack upon journalist while reporting. In most of the cases recorded at FF, journalists have been victim of attack while covering the protest even in presence of the police persons.

Media Alliance Nepal has drawn serious attention to the incident of police beating up an Avenues reporter who reached Hotel Marriott in Kathmandu to collect news.

Correspondent Sheetal Rijal and cameraman Suresh Rajak were beaten up by the police on September 10 at a Naxal-based hotel in Kathmandu. The issue of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is currently the most important issue in Nepal.

"It is the duty of the media to provide the public with information and information related to the incident," said a statement issued by Media Alliance Nepal.

The Alliance said that it was objectionable for the team led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police to take the media personnel under control for a few hours.

Nepal police manhandled reporters at https://avenueskhabar.com.np/ (online news portal) Shital Rijal and his cameraperson Suresh Rajak while reporting on September 10 in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the federal capital of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum, reporter Rijal said that the incident took place outside a hotel in central Kathmandu where the reporters were trying to cover the updates of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Police persons on duty outside the hotel barred their entry into the hotel and took the reporter under control for 1.5 hours.

"We requested the officers to let us return back without reporting but in vain. Thereafter, cameraperson Rajak started recording video, then the police manhandled us and broke the camera. They did not even state a reason for mistreating us", shared Rijal.

The reporters returned back home after 1.5 hours.

Lately, MCC has been an important issue of public concern in Nepal which has drawn wide attention of the public as well as other concerned sectors

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is sheer violation of press freedom and citizen's right to information. Obstructing the journalists from doing their job depicts how hostile the environment is for them. FF strongly urges the concerned authority to address the case seriously and provide compensation to the journalists for their loss.

Sudarshan Shrestha, Chief of Arthasarokar Sudurpaschim Bureau, Jhalak Dawadi, Correspondent of Fulbari Khabar and Camera Person Hari Tiwari had complained against Krishna Giri, Chairperson of Siddhartha Community Forest at the District Police Office on August 26, 2021, accusing him of giving them a death threat.

After the locals had informed them that timber was being smuggled from Phulbari area of the community forest at Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan-14 through the connivance of employees and officials of the forest, the journalist had gone to the incident spot to verify the information.

Sudarshan Shrestha, Chief of Arthasarokar Sudurpaschim Bureau told INSEC that they had received a death threat on August 25 through a phone call.

Himal Joshi, District Chairperson of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Kailali, said that action should be taken against anyone who threatens to kill a journalist who went for an on-site mission for the purpose of disseminating factual information to the citizens.

DSP Pratik Bista of the District Police Office, Kailali said that the accused would not be arrested as the victim had not lodged an FIR therefore, both parties will be called to the District Police Office for discussion on the issue.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Sudur Paschim Province, Nepal Federation of Photo Journalists, Kailali and Press Chautari Nepal have issued a press release on August 26 demanding immediate action against the accused.

The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has objected to the misconduct of CPN-Oli cadres on the journalists gone to cover the assembly held in front of Narayanhiti on February 6, 2021.

In a press statement signed by General Secretary of FNJ Ramesh Bista on February 6, the federation said that Binu Subedi, a journalist of Kantipur Daily, and Dipesh Shahi, a journalist of Naya Patrika Daily were not allowed to cover the news by the cadres even when they had shown the press pass.

According to the victim journalists, the cadres stopped them and blamed them of sending negative information regarding their assembly. They were blamed of having negative intention and were not allowed to cover the incident. The leaders of the party said they were unaware of the incident and they got to know about it through the news. They also apologized for the behaviour of the student cadres.

“This incident of harassment of journalists carrying independent professional responsibilities and obstruction during news gathering is an interference in the freedom of the press. The federation strongly condemns this anti-press freedom move,”- mentioned in the statement.

According to the victim journalist Binu Subedi, the cadres of the party had obstructed the news gathering and prevented him from moving forward. They had misbehaved with her and did not allow her to cover the event.

Cadres of the Nepal Students Union (NSU) were arrested from the Exhibition Road, Kathmandu on June 8, 2021 for protesting against the government. Those arrested were identified as Sanjeeb Dhakal, 27, Manish Khadka Chhetri, 26, Ramesh Khadka, 31, and Samrat Chhetri, 30.

According to Deepak Bhattarai, General Secretary of the NSU, the cadres have been arrested by the police for protesting against the government’s proposal to reduce the trade deficit by extracting stones, gravel and sand.

Similarly, Chairperson of NSU, Rajiv Dhungana has issued a statement demanding the unconditional release of those arrested cadres.

Police have arrested 18 members of the Civil Society’who were protesting in Baluwatar.

During the protest, police arrested writer and campaigner Khagendra Sangraula, Narayan Wagle, Yug Pathak, Sanjeev Upreti, Archana Thapa, Sarita Pariyar, Rita Pariyar, Praneta, Bhaskar Gautam, Anubhav Ajit, Yubraj Ghimire, Sangeet, Bhawana Rawat, Nirgha Nabin, Sashi Bikram Karki, Saurabh Karki, Saurabh Neupane, Anjan Babu.

Civil leader Narayan Wagle informed that the police had arrested 18 people including him while they were preparing to protest against the government’s plan to give affiliation to a medical college belonging to a person close to the government.

They were arrested by the police while preparing to protest against the government’s preparation to affiliate the medical colleges of a person close to the government.

They are currently kept at the Metropolitan Police Circle, Kamalpokhari. DSP Khumlal Bhusal of Kamalpokhari Police Circle said that they took control of the protestors who were about to initiate a protest during the prohibition period.

The doctors and leaders of civil society have been protesting against the professorship of VC Gyanendra Giri. Initially the protest started from Dharan. According to the students and the doctors of the institute, there are financial irregularities, corruption, and political intervention in the BPKIHS's services to deteriorate. Doctors, students, and staffs protested demanding reform at the institute for the past 27 days. The chairperson of Medical and Dentistry Teachers’ Welfare Society’s Chairperson Dr. Bishnu Pokhrel had posted that there are ‘irregularities’ in the institute. The students and doctors have asked Dr, Pokhrel to submit clarification over his social media post on the ‘irregularities’ at the institute. The doctors and students have sought clarification from the VC regarding media reports related to his professorial title. They have sought details about the university providing him the title of professorship and research work (along with the digital object identifier) he carried out.

Photojournalist Nimesh Jung Rai associated with www.nepallive.com- a news portal- was attacked by the police persons in the federal capital, Kathmandu, on July 3.

Rai was taking photographs of the torch rally organized by the agitated student wings of five major opposition political parties. The torch rally was begun from Minbhawan, Kathmandu.

As the rally moved toward the main road, the police began thrashing the protestors and also baton-charged the photojournalist Rai. Rai was beaten while he was shooting the protest.

Rai informed, “Although I produced my Press ID Card and showed camera, the police persons continued beating me.” He got injury on his knee with baton-charge.

Freedom Forum condemns the attack on photojournalist Rai. It is sheer violation of press freedom. The security persons must respect journalists’ right to free reporting. Suppressing journalists is the suppression of information and press freedom, which is not acceptable in democracy. The high authority of Nepal Police should instruct the lower level staffs on how they could respect journalists and separate journalists while taking control the protest.

Reporter with an online television, Hello Nepal, Milan KC was thrashed by police persons in Chitwan on July 8. Chitwan lies in the Bagmati Province of Nepal.

According to reporter KC, he was attacked while reporting a protest staged by the family members of a local Sujita Bhandari whose dead body was found in a forest some days back. They have been demanding fair investigation of the murder of Bhandari.

"While I was taking video of the police taming the protestors, one of the police persons baton-charged me. He did not stop even after I showed my identity card", said reporter KC.

KC sustained deep injury on his legs and his camera was damaged in the incident.

"One of the senior officials has, however, assured me of providing compensation to repair my camera", he shared.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident because it is sheer violation of press freedom and freedom of expression. The police must stop such atrocity on media persons who are bringing news to the public despite adversity caused by COVID-19. FF strongly urges the high level of Nepal Police to investigate the incident and take action against the police persons beating journalists.

Nabin Chaudhary, 30, of Jaleshwor, Mahottari correspondent of AP 1 Television was assaulted by Sanjeev Kumar Raya, Chairperson of the Local Road Consumers’ Committee because Chaudhary had taken a video of the poor quality of work done by the construction team of Raya. The road is in Pataili of Jaleshwor Municipality-5. The road here was pitched on May 26 and according to the locals, it had collapsed the next day. According to the victim and locals, the road was never pitched previously and later the municipality had decided to concretize the road before the end of the fiscal year. The municipality had allocated a budget of NRs. 400,000 and the construction work was completed on May 27. According to the locals, the road was pitched directly on the muddy foundation without fulfilling any construction protocols. The next day, the road was already in a bad condition. The locals had informed Chaudhary to visit and cover the incident. After monitoring the site, Nabin had gone to discuss the matter with the accused after gathering some information using his mobile phone. But he was assaulted and he escaped the place saving his life. The complaint was filed after the accused had seized the communication devices of the victim and deleted the video he had captured. Accused Raya had also confiscated Nabin's motorbike. The victim journalist lodged a complaint at the District Police Office on May 27, 2021, demanding for justice. Even after the complaint was filed, the road has been maintained twice but is still in a mad condition due to its quality and of course due to monsoon. The Mahottari branch of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has shown serious concern over the incident.

The policemen of the Lahan Area Police Office have been accused of abusing the human rights defenders inside the police station on January 22, 2021. INSEC Siraha Representative Durga Pariyar, Women Human Rights Defenders Network Siraha Chairperson Renu Karna, WOREC District Program Officer Dev Kumari Mahara, WOREC Program Officer Anita Chaudhary and psychological counsellor Kabita Chaudhary were mistreated by ASI Kamal Bhattarai along with other policemen working at Area Police Office Lahan when they had gathered to discuss on a case of domestic violence. A 20-year-old pregnant woman victim of domestic violence from Lahan Municipality-4 was kept in a safe house after her family members left her at WOREC on January 3, 2021. DSP Shaligram Sharma of the District Police Office, Siraha had informed about a discussion in which he had called both the parties at the Area Police Office, Lahan along with the Human Rights Defenders to resolve the issue and provide shelter to the victim on January 22, 2021. But according to Renu Karna, chairperson of the Women's Human Rights Defenders Network, the human rights defenders took the victim to the Area Police Office, Lahan, but the other side was not present in the discussion and they had to wait for the entire day. She added, 'Later when we left the place to buy a bottle of water, the police had tried to pull the victim out of the station and when we tried to defend her, they verbally abused us and misbehaved with us for taking her side,' DSP Sarat Kumar Thapa Chhetri of the Area Police Office Lahan had apologized for the mistake made by the policemen while he was away and they had now sent the victim to her home with her family members.

Journalist Bishwanath Simkhada, 30, a resident of Raskot Municipality-2 was given death threat by the cadres of All Nepal National Independent Student Union- Revolutionary (ANNISU- Revolutionary) for publishing news about their activity. The accused have been identified as Man Singh Shahi, 25, of Khandachakra Municipality-6 and Hikmat Jung Singh, 24, of Mahawai Rural Municipality-4.

According to the victim, the accused Shahi and Singh had threatened to kill him after he published the news of ANNISU- Revolutionary involving students of Dev Secondary School in their program. The title of the news was- 'Red salute at the age of studying life and the world' and it was published on April 20, 2021.

The involvement of the students in the political activities has been found time and again in the country. According to the Convention on the Child Rights, school and children are the zone of peace. Therefore, it is wrong to involve children in the partisan politics.

The victim had raised his voice against this violation of child rights and therefore received threat from the accused. The accused had used the number 9848348670.

Simkhada, a journalist working for Rajdhani Daily, Online News Khabar and a member of Education Journalist Group had received a call at around 4 pm on April 20. The accused had threatened to break his limbs like Dekendra Thapa, a journalist from Dailekh.

The district branch of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Kalikot and Karnali Province Committee have issued a press release condemning the incident. A separate press release signed by FNCCI Karnali Province General Secretary Khagendra Bhattarai and District Branch Chairperson of Kalikot Bharatraj Bista was issued about the incident. Press Chautari Nepal Kalikot has also issued a press release. A press release signed by Press Chautari Nepal Kalikot District Acting Coordinator Ramesh Sunar has demanded the local administration to take legal action against those who threatened journalist Simkhada.

District Correspondent of Naya Patrika Daily, Surendra Kamati, 37, of Siraha Municipality-7, and Correspondent of Avenues Television Shubh Narayan Kamati, 39, of Siraha Municipality-11 were mistreated while they were reporting a case on the allegation of witchcraft. A complaint was lodged against Ram Chandra Sah, 28, of Aurahi Rural Municipality-5 at the District Police Office, Siraha on April 19. According to the victim journalist Shubh Narayan, the accused Sah threatened to kill him while he was going to the spot to collect news after receiving information about the incident. According to Inspector Dipendra Shrestha of the District Police Office, Siraha, the accused is absconding. The two reporters had gone to cover the story of Hiradevi Sah, 50, of Aurahi Rural Municipality-5 who was accused of witchcraft by her nephew Ghuran Sah, 28, and her daughters-in-law Surji Sah, 48, Koshila Sah, 40, and Sarita Sah, 27. According to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, the accusation of witchcraft is a major violation. This practice has been a major issue in the Terai. Even till date, women who are mostly in their old age or if they are widow or single are targeted for the allegation of witchcraft. Most of the time, the allegation is made either by their family members or neighbours. According to the Nepal Human Rights Year Book 2021, an annual publication of INSEC, one male and 58 female were the victims of allegation of witchcraft. Generally, they are accused if their family members are constantly sick or if there is a dispute related to property. The victim was abused by her own family members. She was beaten and mishandled. The journalist duo had gone to cover the incident. The accused gave death threat to the victims for trying to intervene in the situation and were told not to publish the news. Therefore, a complaint was filed against them. Police have arrested the accused Ghuran Sah on April 18 on the charge of misbehaviour while the other accused is absconding.

Nepal Police misbehaved with Shyam Paswan, a Photojournalist at Birgunj television while reporting at the border area in Parsa on June 5. Parsa district lies in Province 2 of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum, report Paswan shared that earlier on May 31, he had reported news about open cross-border smuggling amid the prohibitory order declared by the government to contain COVID 19. Following this, one of the police officers reported to be involved in smuggling called on reporter Paswan's mobile and threatened him for writing the news without his consent.

Thereafter, on June 5 reporter Paswan again reached the border area to report on the illegal transport of goods. Meanwhile, on-duty police persons asked him to show his identity card, license, and mobile.

He showed his identity card but they not only deleted the photos and videos from his mobile but also took him under control for 30 minutes at the local police station.

"After the incident, I have no courage to reach the site for further reporting.", Paswan said.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is a gross violation of press freedom. Such intimidation to the journalists working frontline even during the pandemic is discouraging and severe violation of the free press and citizen's right to information. Journalists have right to expose the irregularities and issues of public concern.

Hence, FF strongly urges the security authority to address the issue and ensure a safe reporting atmosphere for the journalists.

Freedom Forum has been alarmed over the threat issued to editor at Kantipur daily, Abdullah Minya, merely for writing news relating to environment and forest.

Former Minister of Forest and Environment, Prem Bahadur Ale, issued threat to senior deputy editor at Kantipur daily and former central member of FNJ, Minya, during a telephone call Minya made for interview yesterday. Minya is a noted environmental journalist.

"I know what you deserve. Wait, how I assault you," said Ale being angry in course of receiving information about his works during his ministerial stint. Ale was relieved of responsibility in the recent Cabinet reshuffle. News reports were rife about the irregularities in the ministry earlier.

The threat of physical assault on editor is a sheer violation of press freedom. In case the former Minister had any concern over the news content, he could take legal recourse as going to Press Council Nepal, but issuing threat for writing news is against press freedom. It has harassed the journalist.

The ex-minister must respect press freedom and journalists' right to free reporting.

Associate editor at https://annapurnatimes.com/ Gyanu Shrestha was issued threat of attack for publishing news in Ramechhap on June 14. Ramechhap district lies in Bagmati Province of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum, editor Shrestha shared that she had published news about the misuse of vaccination drive where groups other than targeted people received vaccine on June 11. They shared photos taken during vaccination as well.

On this, a local teacher Khyaan Bahadur Shrestha called her by phone and threatened her of attack for publishing his pictures in the news. He also spoke foul on her and said that the photos tarnished his image.

Editor Shrestha, however, said that she had received those photographs from other sources which were also posted on Shrestha's own facebook page. She also confirmed that he along with others have misused the vaccination drive which was open only for people aged 60-64 years.

"I have filed a complaint at the district police station, the senior official has assured me of fair investigation", she informed.

Freedom Forum condemns the threat issued to the journalist for doing her job. Reporting on the social irregularities and malfunctions is the prior duty of a journalist and being intimidated merely for doing one's job is deplorable.

Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned to apologize for the misbehavior, threat and respect journalists' right to free press.

Producer and reporter with https://www.nepalaaja.com/ (a web-based news portal), Madhav Prasad Guragain, was attacked and issued death threat while reporting in Kathmandu on April 12. Kathmandu is the federal capital of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum's media monitoring desk, reporter Guragain said, "I reached the construction site of Kathmandu View Tower to report on the complaints of sub-contractor. As I started to record the video from my mobile, contractor Manoj Bhetuwal seized my mobile and threw it."

Guragain had reached the site with one of the sub-contractor who had complained of nonpayment after finishing his construction assignment.

"Supervisor Gyan Bahadur Ray issued death threat to me. Even the police officers did not take any action against the incident", informed Guragain.

Publisher and editor of Rapti Sonari daily newspaper Hemant Chaudhary was beaten severely for reporting news on March 29 in Banke. Banke lies in Lumbini Province of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum, Chaudhary shared that he had published news about illegal transport of crushed stones from the Rapti Sonari Municipality of Banke and the arrest of local youths with illegal drugs. In both the news, police arrested the accused with the help of journalist Chaudhary.

Thereafter, Chaudhary started to receive numerous threats through phone calls. Even after the attack, he has been receiving threats of shooting to death.

"Now, am under the security of Nepal police, they are also searching for the attackers", he informed.

Journalist Chaudhary has sustained injuries on his back and legs from the attack.

Freedom Forum vehemently condemns the brutal attack upon a journalist for doing his job. Despite the availability of alternate ways to express discontent over news published, attacking and threatening journalists is deplorable. Such incidents are detrimental to the free press and the right to information.

Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to identify the attackers as soon as possible and punish them as per law thus ensuring justice to the journalists.

Chandra Man Shrestha Secretary of Karnali province chief mistreated the officials of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) who on March 2 came to discuss the demands of the Badi community of Karnali demanding food, cloth, and shelter and about the initiatives being taken by the Karnali state government. While the issue was being discussed, Shrestha called the police and used force to get the NHRC- Nepalgunj chief Jhankar Rawal out of the office.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’s Nepaljung Office has claimed that the provincial government’s high-ranking officials had mistreated its monitoring team.

The monitoring team had reached the provincial government’s office to inquire about its view and response towards the ongoing protest of Badi people in Karnali Province.

The team, according to the NHRC, is said to have faced ill-treatment at the hands of the chief secretary of the Office of Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, Karnali Province, Chandraman Shrestha, and secretary at the Ministry for Social Development, Loknath Poudel.

As many as 440 families from the Badi community, marginalized and most impoverished communities, from Surkhet, Dailekh, Kalikot, Jajarkot and Salyan districts have been protesting in front of the Office of the Chief

Ministers and Council of Ministers, Karnali Province Government for over 10 days. Their demands include accommodation, education, health and employment.

A press statement issued by NHRC’s spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokharel here today said that a letter has been written to the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Minister and Chief Secretary of the Karnali Province, Chandraman Shrestha to provide the factual details about the incident.

The letter notes, “The NHRC has received a report which states that the monitoring team was ridiculed with questions such as “Why should we furnish you the details? Are you the Commissioner to whom we are obliged to furnish the details?” and the officials ordered the sub-inspector of police to get rid of the monitoring team.”

The NHRC has asked the erring provincial government officials to provide them the detail of the incident on that day within three days. The human rights watchdog has said that the monitoring team was working in compliance with the role and responsibilities stipulated in the constitution of Nepal and the prevailing law and has demanded the detailed report of the incident as per the Constitution of Nepal and the Human Rights Commission Act-2068 BS.

Executive editor at https://freepressnepal.com/ (an online news portal) Bikash Shrestha was arrested today from Balaju, Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the federal capital of Nepal.

Freedom Forum has learned that Shrestha was arrested for taking pictures of the arrested locals inside the police custody.

Nepal Police has arrested few activists of road expansion victim struggle committee for protesting at the metropolitan's construction site.

Talking to FF, an officer said that reporter Shrestha was arrested for taking pictures inside the station. He will be released few hours later after deleting the photos and videos, he informed.

Freedom Forum is concerned over the incident as it is gross violation of press freedom. Police station is a public place and a journalist has right to report the activities in the [public places. However, police officers statement that journalists are not allowed to report inside the station is unlawful. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to respect the constitutionally guaranteed rights to free press and demands immediate release of the journalist without damaging reporting coverage.

Nepal Police misbehaved with the reporter to https://www.khojsanchar.com/ (an online news portal) Pragya Thaiba in Kathmandu on February 24. Kathmandu is the capital city situated in the Bagmati Province of Nepal.

Photojournalist Thaiba shared with Freedom Forum that while she was reporting on conflict among locals and police persons at police station, one of the officers seized her camera with the order from Police Inspector.

The officer also warned her that she was not allowed to take pictures or videos on the office premises. Later, they deleted the pictures and returned back the camera, she added.

Police had arrested the members of Valley Road Expansion Vitim Struggle Committee for protesting at the metropolitan construction site.

Freedom Forum expresses serious concern over intimidation on photojournalist and deletion of photo from her camera because it is sheer violation of press freedom. Reporting on the issues of public concern is the journalists' rights.

Two youths were arrested from the protest against the government in Pyuthan district on February 16 . Pyuthan lies in Lumbini Province of Nepal.

As per the information received at Freedom Forum, cadres of the student wing of Nepali Congress party Tuna Ram Khatri and Sagar GM were arrested for protesting against the government. They have been reported that they chanted slogans against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, decrying his move to dissolve parliament.

Lately, political parties, leaders and their student wings have been protesting against the dissolution of the House of Representatives in Nepal. The case is currently in sub judice in court.

Freedom Forum has recorded many other incidents of violation of freedom of speech in different parts of country. A week back, a female youth leader was briefly detained for her speech. She was released after severe criticism.

Freedom Forum shows concern over the arrest of citizens for exercising their right to speech. It urges the concerned security agency to release them and respect their fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.

A municipality chief threatened www.thahakhabar.com 's Jumla based reporter Dil Maya Shahi through telephone call today (February 21). Jumla lies in Karnali Province of Nepal.

Talking to Freedom Forum's monitoring desk, Shahi shared that she had written a news critical to the Chandannath Municipality's Mayor Kantika Sejuwal. After the publication of news, Sejuwal call Shahi and threatened for writing the news.

"She spoke abusive and also called me to her office in threatening voice", said Shahi, "later, I knew that Sejuwal along with her daughter were preparing to attack me at office."

"Being a reporter, I have right to report on the important issues and Mayor being a public personality should accept criticism and deal in other ways for dissatisfaction over the news", claimed reporter Shahi.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is gross violation of press freedom. Government has always been intolerant to the media criticism. Despite availability of the legal provisions to report about any dissatisfaction over published news, government authority's intimidation to the reporter is deplorable.

Police have arrested 6 right activists on the charge of protesting for the justice of Nirmala Pant in Kanchanpur on February 22. Among the arrested were Sarada Chand, Anandi Rana, Laxmi Malla, Nirmala Joshi Bhatt, Khadak Bisht, and Mina Bhandari.

Right activities staged a symbolic protest demanding justice for Nirmala Pant, who was killed after being raped while Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli was laying the foundation stone of Daiji Chhela Industrial Area in Kanchanpur. They protested wearing a t-shirt with the caption " where is the murder of Nirmala Pant?".

Post photojournalist Kabin Adhikari sustained injuries on Thursday while taking photographs of a demonstration at New Baneshwor against the arrest of Ram Kumari Jhakri on charges of offence against the state.

Adhikari's ankle is fractured, physicians attending him said.

He is undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital.

According to eyewitnesses, Adhikari was injured when the police baton-charged the protestors near the Everest Hotel.

Jhankri was arrested by the police from her residence at Shankhamul on Thursday afternoon.

Soon after the arrest, there was widespread condemnation of her arrest saying that the government tried to curb freedom of speech.

Police have released Jhakri on Thursday evening after the leaders of various parties demanded the release.

Meanwhile, the Photo Journalists Club wished Adhikari a speedy recovery and urged the agitating parties and the government to create a conducive environment for the media to operate in and the flow of information.

An online news portal www.rupaantaran.com has been blocked since January 21. The news portal was run by a noted journalist Kishor Nepal from Kathmandu. Kathmandu is the federal capital of Nepal.

Two weeks ago, journalist Nepal wrote in a tweet - 'My only news portal has been blocked. What the anger with the words! It hurts a lot for being censored for practicing press freedom and freedom of expression.'

He has further accused 'cyber army' of blocking the website reasoning he used to write news and opinions critical to the government.

In this connection, Freedom Forum made an inquiry on Cyber Crime Bureau of Nepal Police, which responded that they were uninformed about the case.

Similarly, Assistant Director at Nepal Telecommunication Authority, Sunil Khatiwada, confirmed that the site was not been blocked by NTA.

Whether the news portal is blocked or banned, it has violated internet freedom, freedom of expression and press freedom. It is a violation of the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution. Lately, the cyber-surveillance has grown in Nepal, which might have the hand behind it as journalist Nepal guessed. The misuse of authority to suppress citizen's rights can not be imagined in democratic system. If any side had dissatisfaction over the news content, legitimate move of complaints could be adopted rather than blocking the website.

Freedom Forum therefore urges the concerned authorities to facilitate for the immediate restoration of news portal run by noted journalist Nepal.

Police had intervened and used force in a protest rally of the civil society activists against the dissolution of the House of Representatives in Baluwatar area on January 25, 2021. Police also used water cannons and charged baton on demonstrators gathered in Baluwatar. The protestors have accused the police for using the unnecessary force which turned the peaceful citizen's protest into violence. They also accused that the police has tried to ban from their rights to peaceful assembly and association. Journalist and writer Narayan Wagle, who was involved in the protest, said that the move by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to dissolve the House of Representatives was unconstitutional. According to Narayan Wagle, former commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission Mohana Ansari, Arundev Joshi, Nirgha Navin, Sangharsh Dahal, Swarnim Dinesh and other human rights defenders were injured after police used force. Among the injured, Nirgha was taken to Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj and Sangharsh and Swarnim were taken to Model Hospital for treatment. Police had intervened while the civic leaders were marching from Kamalpokhari to Hattisar, Nagpokhari, Naxal and from Bhatbhateni to Baluwatar. Police arrested 26 civil society leaders, including Krishna Pahadi, Founder President of Human Rights and Peace Society, Uttam Pudasaini, Chairperosn, Member Krishna Kandel, Secretary Bal Bahadur Gaha Magar, Treasurer Ram Krishna Baral, Central Member Namrata Kharel, Lalitpur Branch Chairperson Chandramani Banjara, Kathmandu Branch Chairperson, Jagannath Pudasaini, human rights activist Ram Chandra Khatiwada, Suraj Bohra, Ishwar Pudasaini, Ramesh Baral, Purushottam Ghimire, Uma Gautam, Maya Bhattarai, Laxmi Rana, Sanu Lama, RS Mahato, Dikambar Rana, Bhagwan Pudasaini, Kiran Dhakal, Rose Bista, Kingkong Rai, Sanjog Rai, Mohini Prasad Acharya. They were kept at Nepal Police and then released after four hours. In a press statement released by the Human Rights and Peace Society, which has been protesting against Prime Minister KP Oli's move of dissolving the House of Representatives, mentioned that the government was trying to influence the court and legal procedures, misuse the state mechanism, and the prime minister and ministers made abhorrent statements.

Nepal Police arrested citizens for protesting peacefully at a program in Dhangadhi on January 8. Dhangadhi lies in the Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal.

Local youths Binod Khadka, Aarud Sah, Sagar Joshi, Rajendra Shahi, Pravin Khadka, Suresh Joshi, and Naresh Prasad Joshi were arrested for wearing t-shirt with slogans- Where is the rapist of Nirmala Panta?

Nirmala Panta, a 13-year old girl was raped and murdered in Kanchanpur in 2018. The locals claim the 'accused is still roaming scot-free'. The investigation authority had earlier stated that the perpetrator would be arrested soon but no action has been taken yet.

The youths had worn t-shirts to create pressure on government to arrest and punish the rapist and murderer of Nirmala Panta. The program was being addressed by the Prime Minister.

Other attendees in the program also shared that they were not even allowed to wear black mask.

Youths were detained for four hours and released later, informed chief of District Police Office, Kailali.

Freedom Forum condemns the incident as it is gross violation of citizen's right to peaceful protest. It has resulted in suppression of freedom of expression. Such incidents represent government's authoritarian move and intolerance towards public criticism. Citizen's right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest is guaranteed by Nepal's constitution.

Reporter with Dhangadhi-based Dinesh FM Narayan Awasthi received threats of attack through telephone for reporting news in Dhangadhi on December 11. Dhangadhi is situated in Sudurpaschim Province of Nepal.

According to Freedom Forum's representative Min Bam, news about a payment released without any work progress in the infrastructure development program led by Province's Assembly Member Nepalu Chaudhary was aired via FM radio on December 9.

Again on December 10, news claiming payments made on the basis of ‘only paper works’ in the area of Parliamentarian Chaudhary was published on www.dineshkhabar.com.

Following the publication of news, Ram Chandra Chaudhary calling himself a member of Municipality Committee Secretariat called on the phone and threatened Awasthi of physical assault using abusive words, said representative Bam.

Thereafter, Awasthi called Parliamentarian Chaudhary to inform him about the threat but the Parliamentarian in turn, replied that he deserves punishment for writing fake news and that he did not report in their favor.

However, FF has noted that reliable local sources have been quoted in the above-mentioned news.

Reporter Awasthi has informed local administration about the incident and is preparing to file a complaint against them, informed Bam.

Chief Editor at https://www.kathmandukhabar.com/ Keshav Raj Pathak was issued death threat for reporting news in Kathmandu on December 16. Kathmandu is the federal capital of Nepal.

During conversation with Freedom Forum's media monitoring desk, editor Pathak shared that he has been reporting on various issues of illegal excavation and plotting of land in Budhanilkantha municipality. Recently the municipality and district forest authority had restricted ongoing plotting of land in the municipality following a complaint filed by Pathak.

"On the day of incident, two masked men approached me while walking along the plotting area and threatened saying- this is our plot; you have risked your life doing this so now bear consequences", said Pathak.

He further said that he has also informed local authority including Metropolitan Police Range about the incident requesting his safety.

Freedom Forum is concerned over the incident as it is sheer violation of press freedom. Despite availability of the legitimate ways to show dissatisfaction over news published, hostile behavior meted out against journalists time and again is worrying. Hence, FF strongly urges the concerned authority to ensure safety of the journalists and avoid any mishaps in future